Marking Sampler
EmbroidererEmbroidered by
Sophia Gay Larned
American, 1823 - 1884
Date1833
MediumEmbroidery; silk threads on a plain-woven, undyed linen ground
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width): 7 3/4 x 7 1/2in. (19.7 x 19.1cm)
ClassificationsTextiles
Credit LineGift of Mary Means Huber
DescriptionMarking sampler worked in medium green, light blue, medium brown, and black silk threads on a plain-woven linen ground in cross stitches (over two threads). The sampler is squarish, oriented vertically. It is laid out with five rows of two alphabets and the numbers 1 through 3, over an inscription. The inscription is "Sophia G Larned.10". The lines of alphabets, numbers, and text are separated by various narrow borders, including straight and meandering lines. There is no border.
The sampler has a 3/8-inch double-turned hem on the bottom and both side edges, and a selvedge on the top edge. The sampler is not framed.
Letters and Numbers: There are two alphabets and the numbers 1-3. The letters are uppercase block in alphabet 1 and lowercase block in alphabet 2. The letters J and U are present in both alphabets. The letter "y" in the lowercase alphabet is backwards. All lowercase letters with descenders, such as the letter 'g', are placed so the descender does not extend below the baseline.
Stitches: The sampler is worked in cross over two threads. There is some practice stitching in the top and bottom edges (the stitching in the top edge may be an attempt at a second uppercase A).
Condition: The sampler has minimal to light fading. The sampler is not framed.
The sampler has a 3/8-inch double-turned hem on the bottom and both side edges, and a selvedge on the top edge. The sampler is not framed.
Letters and Numbers: There are two alphabets and the numbers 1-3. The letters are uppercase block in alphabet 1 and lowercase block in alphabet 2. The letters J and U are present in both alphabets. The letter "y" in the lowercase alphabet is backwards. All lowercase letters with descenders, such as the letter 'g', are placed so the descender does not extend below the baseline.
Stitches: The sampler is worked in cross over two threads. There is some practice stitching in the top and bottom edges (the stitching in the top edge may be an attempt at a second uppercase A).
Condition: The sampler has minimal to light fading. The sampler is not framed.
Object number2007.51.3
MarkingsTranscription of text lines:"ABCDEFGHIJK/ LMNOPQRSTU/ VWXYZ& 123/ abcdefghijklmn/ opqrstuvwxyz/ Sophia G Larned.10".
Subject Terms
On View
Not on view
